Rep. Chris Miller: House Approves Charleston’s request to extend downtown TIF district another 12 years

State Representative Chris Miller of the 110th District. Photo submitted by State Representative Chris Miller's office.

For Release – Sunday, January 10, 2021

From State Representative Chris Miller

Rep. Chris Miller: House Approves Charleston’s request to extend downtown TIF district another 12 years

Oakland, IL – The Illinois House today overwhelmingly approved legislation granting the City of Charleston an extension to the current TIF District due to expire on Dec. 31, 2022, according to State Representative Chris Miller (R-Oakland), who sponsored the legislation.

The City of Charleston has requested an additional 12 years to continue the City’s revitalization of the downtown area. The original Central Area Tax Increment Redevelopment Plan and Central Area Redevelopment Project “Downtown TIF District” was granted in 1986. The extension would only apply to the property tax portion of taxes collected.

Business located in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts are used to facilitate economic growth by refunding or diverting a portion of the taxes businesses pay to help finance development in a blighted area of a community.

“This is a project I have been working on all year,” Miller said. “The City Council in Charleston approved the TIF extension last February. The legislation stalled in the House last May, but we were finally able to get it through the House. Certainly, TIFs can be controversial but what has been happening in Charleston has been good for the community and they just need a little more time to finish up a few projects. It is a reasonable request and one that has strong support in Coles County.”

House Bill 570 passed the House with 100 “yes” votes and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

“The Senate approved the Charleston TIF extension last year and I see no reason why they would not do it again,” Miller said. “The holdup was in the House, but the issues and concerns in the House have been resolved and I expect this to pass in the Senate before the lame duck session ends later this week.”